Department of Entomology | Pennsylvania State University

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Teaching

Teaching Philosophy

Whether explaining biological concepts to a group of 200 or a single individual, my teaching objectives are quite similar. I aim to cultivate excitement and interest in the natural sciences, while also making concepts concrete, understandable, and applicable. When I walk into a classroom or research laboratory, my goals as an educator are to (1) provide context, (2) use interdisciplinary techniques for science education, (3) encourage students to analyze, test, and reflect upon acquired information, and (4) bring enthusiasm for the topics I teach.

@ San Diego State, Spring 2017: Genetics & Evolution

Biology 352 is divided into two sections: transmission and population genetics, and evolutionary biology. All class material will be posted on Blackboard (https://blackboard.sdsu.edu). This will include outlines, exam scores and keys to exams. The lecture outlines will be available prior to each lecture for you to print and bring with you. The Blackboard site is updated weekly. Dr. Tanya Renner teaches transmission and population genetics, while Dr. Marshal Hedin teaches Evolution.

@ San Diego State, Fall 2016: Plant Biology

Biology 458 covers plant cell biology and structure, photosynthesis, respiration, secondary metabolism, physiology of water relations and transport, growth and development, evolution of major groups, plant ecology of Southern California and topics related to agriculture. Class material will be posted on Blackboard (https://blackboard.sdsu.edu). This will include outlines, laboratory material, and exam scores. The lecture outlines will be available prior to each lecture for you to print and bring with you. The Blackboard site is updated weekly.

@ San Diego State, Spring 2016: Genetics & Evolution

Biology 352 is divided into two sections: transmission and population genetics, and evolutionary biology. All class material will be posted on Blackboard (https://blackboard.sdsu.edu). This will include outlines, exam scores and keys to exams. The lecture outlines will be available prior to each lecture for you to print and bring with you. The Blackboard site is updated weekly. Dr. Dean Leavitt teaches transmission and population genetics, while Dr. Tanya Renner teaches Evolution.

@ University Of Arizona, Spring 2015: Fundamentals Of Genomics Short Course

Tanya will teach a short course on the ‘Fundamentals of Genomics’ at the University of Arizona. Schedule, documentation, and protocols for the course can be found via the two links below. Students will be given novel transcriptome data to manage by learning methods in assembly, annotation, and isolating differentially expressed genes between RNA-seq samples.

@ Pima Community College, Spring 2014: Natural History of the Southwest

The PERT program is funded by the National Institutes of Health MORE (Minority Opportunities in Research) Division and is designed to combine training in research, teaching, and mentoring. This Spring, I am teaching Bio 109 “Natural History of the Southwest” course at the Pima Community College West Campus under mentorship of Brad Fiero.

@ University Of Arizona, Spring 2013: MCB 181H Small Research Group

For the next four weeks we will study the molecular evolution of chemoreception in terrestrial insects. We will explore sensory adaptations, investigate a single gene family involved in chemoreception, and learn how genetic changes can result in functional divergence. By the end of our last meeting, you will be able to explain how biologists can infer the processes of evolution by studying genetic variation, in addition to describing how genetics is intertwined with ecology and biodiversity.